The association met with approximately 180 members from the House of Congress in individual meetings. Participants were briefed at a learn-and-lobby workshop in the morning and then divided to meet members in their offices and solicit dietary supplement industry bills.

The goal of the event is to network directly with Congress in order to get the industry's message out.

"We got very positive feedback about co-sponsoring natural products bills and joining the dietary supplement caucus in the House," Tracy Taylor, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs & Strategic Initiatives, told NutraIngredients-USA.

NPA was specifically supporting nutritious meals in schools, the inclusion of vitamin and mineral supplements in food stamps. Participants denounced any ban of the supplement DHEA, and any changes to DSHEA (the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994).

"We oppose any changes to DSHEA, it's where it needs to be," said Taylor. "What we really need to do is make sure the U.S. Food & Drug Administration can implement it as it was meant to be implemented."

The Senate bills brought to the table, which NPA support, include:

-Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act, S.771

-Food Stamp Vitamin and Mineral Improvement Act, S.770

The House of Representatives bills the group is against include:

-Dietary Supplement and Healthy Meal Replacement Tax Parity Act, H.R. 1107

-Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act, H.R. 1363

NPA sees its 'day on the Hill' as a way to make in-roads into further

communication with policy makers.

"It gives us a tool to follow-up on with staff in Washington D.C.," said Taylor.